The articulated lorry toppled over as it negotiated a roundabout on the A460 beside the T8 turn-off for the M6 Toll at Wedges Mills yesterday.

Motorists heading out for Sunday lunch, church services and sporting events faced delays of more than an hour after police cordoned off the road.

The driver of the lorry, from West Yorkshire, was unhurt following the accident at 7.30am.

Police said it took around six hours to put the vehicle back on its wheels and clean up the carriageway.

As traffic began to build up during the morning, officers closed off the half-mile stretch between Junction 11 of the M6 and the scene of the accident for around three hours to allow the lorry to be recovered.

Motorists heading for Cannock from the M6 were diverted along Lodge Lane to Bridgtown.

Only drivers heading north were affected.

Those stuck in queues tweeted warnings. Cannock Cricket Club player Jack Twigger advised those travelling to the Church Lane ground to get off the motorway at Junction 12 and approach from the A5.

The lorry, owned by Liverpool-based Bibby’s Distribution, was carrying hundreds of cartons of milk bound for Tesco stores.

Mick Broome, duty control room manager for Cannock Police, asked for any witnesses to the accident to come forward.

He said: “For reasons unknown at the moment the lorry ended up on its side with the cartons of milk deposited on the road. Because of the situation, with the lorry on its side, it was necessary to close the road as far as the M6.

“Although it’s a very short stretch, it was still inconvenient for road users and took the best part of six hours to get the lorry upright and clear up the milk.”